PRESIDENT OBAMA "has compiled a" STELLAR RECORD

President Obama has compiled a STELLAR record under the circumstances. This list of accomplishments is nothing short of amazing, especially given the complete lack of support from the left side of the aisle-and massive obstruction from the right.

He Returned The Executive Branch To Fiscal Responsibility After the Bush Debacle

1. Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. [link to 1.usa.gov]

2. Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. [link to n.pr]

4. He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending. [link to www.cio.gov]

5. He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems. To that end, he also signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, which attempted to put a stop to waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting system. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

6. Through an executive order, he created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

He Improved the Economy, Preventing a Bush Depression

7. Pushed through and signed the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as “the stimulus package.” The bill passed, even though only three Republicans voted for it. In a major departure from the previous administration, he launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. [link to 1.usa.gov] [link to 1.usa.gov]

8. The Bush-led Great Recession was costing the economy nearly 800,000 jobs per month by the time President Obama took office. But by the end of his first year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economyby 3.5%. [link to reut.rs]

9. Not only did he completed the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan, he also leaned on the banks and others, and recovered virtually all of the bail-out money. [link to 1.usa.gov] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

12. Along with Democrats, and almost no Republicans, implemented an auto industry rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] Many are of the opinion that he saved the entire auto industry, and even the economy of the entire Midwest. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] This resulted in GM returning to its place as the top car company in the world. [link to lat.ms] Willard Romney, on the other hand, advocated for the entire industry to go belly-up. [link to nyti.ms]

13. Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is designed to improve manufacturing efficiency. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

14. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. [link to abcn.ws]

15. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was designed to to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. [link to 1.usa.gov]

17. Signed the Democratic-sponsored and passed Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures. The bill also provided $2.2 billion to help combat homelessness, and to stabilize the housing market. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

18. Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

19. Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. [link to 1.usa.gov]

20. Created business.gov, which allows for online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) [link to www.business.gov]

21. Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. [link to nyti.ms]

23. Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. [link to 1.usa.gov]

24. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. [link to 1.usa.gov]

26. Along with Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

27. Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. [link to on.msnbc.com]

28. Crafted an Executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

He Fostered Greater Transparency and Better Government, After the Excesses of the Bush Years

34. Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. [link to 1.usa.gov]

35. Issued an Executive Order on Presidential Records, which restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records, and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews. Provides the public with greater access to historic White House documents, and severely curtails the ability to use executive privilege to shield them. [link to 1.usa.gov]

36. Improved aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. [link to 1.usa.gov]

Wall Street Reforms and Consumer Protection

37. Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. [link to huff.to]

38. Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

39. Through Dodd-Frank legislation, created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [link to 1.usa.gov]

40. Through Dodd-Frank, the Executive Branch fashioned rules that reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

41. Fashioned rules so that banks can no longer use YOUR money to invest in high-risk financial instruments that work against their own customers' interests. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

42. Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

44. Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks that now permits the US government to gain access to the records of criminals and tax evaders. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

45. Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which closed many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. [link to 1.usa.gov]

46. Established a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau designed to protect consumers from financial sector excesses. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

47. Oversaw and then signed a Democratic bill constituting the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. [link to thedc.com]

48. Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals usingmoney from the TARP and Stimulus programs. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

He Ushered Through Many Changes That Enhanced Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination

49. Along with Congressional Democrats, advocated for and signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

50. Pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that forced soldiers to lie in order to be eligible to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

55. Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a same-sex marriage. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

56. Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. [link to 1.usa.gov]

57. Wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to 1.usa.gov]

58. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. This was after the GOP blocked the bill in 2007. Only 5 Republican Senators voted for the bill. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

60. Under his guidance, National Labor Relations Board issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees' rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including websites and intranets, beginning November 2011. [link to 1.usa.gov]

77. Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. [link to n.pr] [link to nyti.ms]

78. Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It was Republicans (and, unfortunately, progressive Democrats) who prevented follow through. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

79. Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the use of torture, or what Bush called "enhanced interrogation." He ordered interrogators to limit their actions to the Army Field manual. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

80. Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. [link to bbc.in]

82. On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies, and put the United States in compliance with the Geneva Convention. [link to 1.usa.gov] [link to nyti.ms]

83. In response to the emerging "Arab Spring," he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

84. Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the single-seat, twin-engine, fighter aircraft cost $358 million each, and the military had 187 built, the F-22 never flew a combat mission. [link to slate.me] (The "fiscally conservative GOP fought to keep it.)

85. Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up their nuclear program. [link to 1.usa.gov]

93. Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will lst until at least 2021. [link to 1.usa.gov]

94. Through the Defense Authorization Act, reversed the Bush Administration and committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

95. Developed first comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda and the withdrawal of most troops, as well as the rebuilding of Afghanistan. [link to wapo.st]

96. Returned our focus to Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing our troops from the country. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

97. Negotiated a deal with Afghan govenment, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

98. Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. [link to yhoo.it]

99. Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. [link to 1.usa.gov]

100. Took decisive action to use NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that the Libyan people could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. [link to aje.me]

101. Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. [link to f24.my]

102. In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneouly engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

President Obama has compiled a STELLAR record under the circumstances. This list of accomplishments is nothing short of amazing, especially given the complete lack of support from the left side of the aisle-and massive obstruction from the right.

President Obama has compiled a STELLAR record under the circumstances. This list of accomplishments is nothing short of amazing, especially given the complete lack of support from the left side of the aisle-and massive obstruction from the right.

...

Quoting: iStarbug

Quoting: Burt Gummer

iStarbug

So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,How amazingly unlikely is your birth,And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space,'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.

come on axelrod get off the pc and pass the crack pipe back val and barry

WAKE UP AMERICA"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 4, September 11, 1777"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a monied aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power (of money) should be taken away from the banks and restored to the people to whom it properly belongs." -- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President."A majority of the people of the United States have lived all of their lives under emergency rule. For 40 years, [79 years now in 2012] freedoms and governmental procedures guaranteed by the Constitution have in varying degrees been abridged by laws brought into force by statutes of national emergency."

better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and prove it. try some better links that are not propaganda for the dear leader owned by soros and co.

WAKE UP AMERICA"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 4, September 11, 1777"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a monied aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power (of money) should be taken away from the banks and restored to the people to whom it properly belongs." -- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President."A majority of the people of the United States have lived all of their lives under emergency rule. For 40 years, [79 years now in 2012] freedoms and governmental procedures guaranteed by the Constitution have in varying degrees been abridged by laws brought into force by statutes of national emergency."

His Administration Treated Soldiers and Veterans with Respect That Was Missing Previously

103. Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. [link to nyti.ms] [link to bbc.in]

106. Created Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order to improve the quality of their medical care. [link to 1.usa.gov]

107. Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. (personal note: my son will be in harm’s way for six fewer months with Obama as president, so you know I love this one.) [link to nyti.ms]

108. Along with Congressional Democrats, supported and signed Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which made more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. [link to 1.usa.gov]

109. Along with Congressional Democrats, ushered through largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, with money to go to improved medical facilities, and to assist states in acquiring or constructing state nursing homes and extended care facilities. [link to 1.usa.gov]

110. Created the Green Vet Initiative, which provided special funding to the Labor Department to provide veterans with training in green jobs. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

111. Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

112. Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

113. Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty will be able to avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

122. Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low income students to go to college. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

123. Along with Democratic Congress, passed and signed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. [link to 1.usa.gov]

124. Took major new steps to protec students from ineffective for-profit colleges through "gainful employment" measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. [link to 1.usa.gov]

125. With First Lady Michelle Obama, passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which will improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. [link to 1.usa.gov]

He Pushed Through Improvements in National Safety and Security

126. Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

127. Authorized Navy SEALS to successfully secure the release of a US captain held by Somali pirates and increased patrols off the Somali coast. [link to nyti.ms]

133. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. [link to nyti.ms]

134. Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

135. Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

136. Obama EPA reveresed research ethics standards which allowed humands to be used as "guinea pigs" in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

140. Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco. [link to on.msnbc.com] As a result, the FDA has Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients and banned sale of cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.”

141. Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

144. Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

145. Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

147. Ushered through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to at least 30 million more people, ended many common insurance company practices that are often detrimental to those with coverage. He also established healthcare.gov, so that taxpayers could keep up with developments. [link to www.healthcare.gov]

148. Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. [link to nyti.ms]

149. Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small business to provide health insurance to their employees, and 29 million people will receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance. [link to nyti.ms]

150. Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. [link to nyti.ms]

151. Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. [link to nyti.ms]

152. Provisions in theACA have already resulted in Medicare costs actually declining slightly this fiscal year, for the first time in many years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The increase in 2011 was 4%, which is very low compared to the average 12% annual inflation rate during previous 40 years. [link to 1.usa.gov]

153. Through the ACA, expanded space exploration and discovery options to more players [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

154. Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. [link to lat.ms]

He Took Steps to Strengthen the Middle Class and Families, and to Fight Poverty

156. Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. [link to nyti.ms]

157. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , cut taxes for 95% of America's working families. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

164. Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in a decade. [link to politi.co]

165. Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

166. Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

167. Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. [link to 1.usa.gov]

168. Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. [link to reut.rs] (As you can see, Republicans are trying hard to kill it.)

169. Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

174. Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. [link to 1.usa.gov]

175. Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a “hoax.” [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS] [link to nyti.ms]

176. Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

177. Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

178. Following the neglect of Bush’s eight year reign, he reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

179. Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid automobiles, and later he and Democrats morphed that program into one that includes electric cars. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

181. Got BP to cough up $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. [link to wapo.st] (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )

182. Oversaw and pushed through amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. [link to 1.usa.gov]

183. Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. [link to nyti.ms]

192. Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in 2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 [link to 1.usa.gov]

But That's Not All...

193. Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements such as NAFTA. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

194. Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during the recent budget negotiations. [link to on.fb.me] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

196. Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. [link to huff.to] [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

197. Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

199. Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. [link to huff.to]

200. Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

201. Signed an Executive Order that will speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. [link to 1.usa.gov]

202. Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. [link to 1.usa.gov]

203. Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first reponders. [link to DON'T_USE-THIS]

204. Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. [link to 1.usa.gov]

205. Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. [link to 1.usa.gov]

And Did You Know?

206. Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. [link to n.pr]

iStarbug

So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,How amazingly unlikely is your birth,And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space,'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.